Thursday, December 31, 2009

I'm excited about 2010 and all the fun and anticipation a New Year brings. It doesn't look like I'll be holding a baby on my lap while watching the ball drop, however. This new little one is not following the path my other two took of arriving at exactly 38 weeks, but instead is teasing with lots of contractions and then nothing for a few hours.

2010 may be the year I develop a great deal of patience.

or completely lose my marbles.

the jury's still deliberating.

I'm not bringing a slow cooker dish (shocking, I know!) to our friend's house tonight for New Years At 9 because I wasn't sure if we'd have a newborn or be in the hospital. Instead, the kids and I are going to make a fabulous apple pie thanks to the totally awesome gluten free pie shells from Whole Foods.

and tomorrow? Tomorrow we'll eat Black Eyed Pea soup. This is the recipe I used last year, and I'm looking forward to making it again. I'm going to re-print it the way it appeared a year ago.

Happy New Year's Eve! I made the most rockingest black eyed pea soup yesterday, and I take back everything I said last year about black eyed peas. They aren't gross. I just didn't know what I was doing.And thank you also for all of the emails explaining pig anatomy. I get it now.

Although this is the end of my year-long challenge, the blog will not die, and I will not go hide in a corner in the fetal position. I promise.

Eating black eyed peas on New Years Day is good luck and is said to bring prosperity which can't be a bad thing. Ring in 2009 on the right note. Make this soup.

Soak your beans overnight. Drain and pick out the undesirables (broken, discolored beans) in the morning.

Use a 5 to 6 quart crockpot. This will serve about 8 people. Dice the veggies, and dump them into your crockpot with the pre-soaked beans. Add sliced sausage. Pour in broth, and stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or on high for about 6. Before serving, use a stick blender to smash up about 1 cup of beans. If you don't have a stick blender, scoop out 1 cup of beans, blend them in a traditional blender, and add back to the soup. Don't blend too much---just enough to get the broth thicker and creamy-looking.

Ladle into bowls, and add Tabasco sauce to taste.

The Verdict.

This tastes amazing. I am so glad that I tried cooking black eyed peas again---they are earthier than other beans and make a fantastic soup base. I've got a few different tupperwares ready to go for lunches for the next few days. My brother and sister-in-law liked it too. The kids didn't taste it---they had spaghetti for dinner.

Sending easy labor thoughts your way! Being your 3rd, I think it should be pretty quick for you - when she decides to show. :) My youngest, now 2, was due Jan 6 but arrived Nov 24 and spent a month in the NICU. All is well now - best of luck to you!

I have made this soup several times and I ADORE it. I did however add more black eyed peas and also i put in some white beans...and it turned out really good. I also bought fresh uncooked ground sausage and let it cook over the hours and it infused the soup with an incredible flavor. Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes. I used them tons this last year and about 2 months ago I finally purchased your fantastic cook book. which is so nice so then i don't have to do a blog search for my favorite recipes. =)

If you like blackeye peas you will absolutely love purple hull peas. Cooked correctly their broth is as good as gravy so you have to serve them over mashed potatoes. Just a thought.Best wishes for the New Year and an easy delivery.

Happy New Year! I haven't been by in awhile and am so happy to see you doing so well. God Bless you and your sweet family.

I'm a big believer in black eyed peas for New Year's. I figure we can use all the help we can get. LOL. I soaked mine over night, but hadn't thought about putting them in the crockpot. It's still early enough I may just go ahead and do that. LOL.

I was wondering what was going on with the baby (or not going on). Maybe you'll have your little one on my son's birthday ... tomorrow. He was due on Christmas Eve. ;-) Whenever she comes, I'm hoping all will go easily, dear.

Still love the idea of this black-eyed pea soup, but haven't made it yet. Must do that soon.

Hugs and Happy New Year! Oh, and I am sooooo happy about your book being on the NYT bestseller list. You must be over the moon on that note! So cool! Well deserved, too. :-)

Made this yesterday for "good luck" and added one sweet potato and some collard greens (because I had them) and my husband declared it a keeper. I think black eyed peas will be in my house more. Thanks and good luck with that new little one whenever she decides to come :)

I made this yesterday and it was a huge hit. I changed a few things due to ingredients I had already. I changed the celery to a chopped poblano pepper and exchanged some Mexican seasoning for the Italian seasoning. I also used andouille sausage and added 4 slices of bacon. My son absolutely LOVED it! I figured I would be the only one eating it but this recipe is definitely a keeper. Thank you so much for sharing!

hey there, this was awesome! We just had it and I'm excited about the leftovers. Also, my husband complimented me that it was perfectly seasoned, and that's really your doing, not mine, since I just followed your recipe. Good job, great soup!

I received your cookbook as a Christmas gift and this was the very first recipe that I made. Talk about a huge success. All of my four children (ages 9, 7, 4 and 3) ate it up and asked for seconds. Since then I have made three other recipes and they too have been met with the same response. Can't wait to make more mouthwatering meals! Happy New Year!

lol ~ I remember being quite peeved when my 2nd was early like my 1st! Hoping all is well and perhaps you are enjoying that newborn babe right this moment. I'm new to your blog but look forward to some great recipes!

Made this soup last night. AMAZING! I used a ham bone leftover from Christmas dinner instead of sausage. By the time it was done, all the ham had fallen off the bone and it was just delectable. Used veggie stock because it's all I had and omitted celery. Hate the stuff and didn't miss it! Made some corn muffins too. Thanks!!! And congrats on the new addition. Would love to see some pics :)

My BF makes something similar to this but mixes it with rice... he says the (insert minority race prominent in Miami, because I can't remember) make it all the time. And I can see why, it's DELICIOUS! Except we add a ton of hot sauce on top... :)

We make them with any kind of bean, but black beans and black eyed peas are best, and the rice has to be spiced/mexican/spanish/yellow.

I am seeing this too late! Argh! I grew up eating black eyed peas on NYE but never liking them, and have discontinued the tradition as an adult but always felt a little sad about it. Can't wait to try this for....NYE 2011!!